Uncommon questions.

Hi,

I'm doing research for my employer. We're looking at using Second Life to simulate hazard scenarios on oil rigs, so that workers can learn to escape more efficiently. I still have a number of questions that need answering, and while I normally would have just spent hours surfing the net for answers, I thought I'd just try this forum.

A lot of people here seem quite knowledgeable and quite helpful, so hopefully I can just get some easy answers.

a) Particle Effects: Can you produce your own particle effects? If so, is it just a looping animation, or a dynamic simulation that can be edited in real time? As well, what kinds of particle systems exist in SL? We will have need for smoke, fire, and possibly explosions.

b) Loading: Obviously, if a user is running through a model of an oil rig, we don't want random pieces of the rig appearing out of thin air as they move through the rig. I realize you have to give objects time to "rez", but would it be possible to set your land up in a way where everything was loaded at the beginning, and there was no "pop up"or "draw distance". The Rig is 88meters long if that means anything.

c) Is it possible to limit a user to "first person view" while they're on your land?

d) If you have any other tips, tricks, or advice you think would be pertinent to the type of project I'm describing, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks,

Matt

a. particle effects are dynamic if you script them correctly. You can start and stop them. You can change the textures of the particles and do all sorts of things to them. Visit the Particle Lab to see all the things you can do and learn about making particles.

b. You can set the draw distance for your character which controls all the prims that are loaded into view. If you set it very high you'll need to make people stand around for a minute while everything loads but I guess you could also use good building and texturing to minimize loading time.

c. I have no idea.

d. There's a linden oil rig (or prim rig) sitting out in the ocean somewhere. I'd suggest looking at that for some ideas. Sorry I can't recall where it is.

short answers to give you something to start with:

a) yes, all three can be done, and and you can program it so that you can change the effect by clicking the object spitting out the particles. Takes some programming of course.

b) Set draw distance at least at 96, and then people can wait so they can rez all. If they do not visit other locations, I guess most will stay in cache for the next time even, but that you should try out.

c) Not that I know since it is cleint setting, but maybe someone knows a trick or two.

d) Not yet but I will give it a thought Would love to visit after its done!

1. Particles are created from a script inside an object, so any object can emit particles. Smoke, fire...even ugly Hello Kitty images can be created. "Poofers" are just particle emitters attached to an avatar.

2. Objects placed permanently inworld are stationary. It is a function of the viewer to render the object that is already there. You would need your workers to have a high draw distance on their own viewers. Since you need a full sim to be rendered, just have them set the draw distance to at least 256m.

3. No, you cannot control an avatar's camera view through land parcel or estate settings. You might get around this by having each person wear an attachment that takes control and changes the camera view to mouselook.

That would be in the ANWR sim.. http://slurl.com/secondlife/ANWR/

/me also seconds the recommendation to head to the Particle Lab to see what can be done.

Haven't there been places where emergency responders can practice simulations in SL for several years now ?. Does anybody know of anyone involved ? - would be great for Matthew to pick their brains............

Just an idea, but could they use Qie's cam-thingy. I would think that would be excellent for training, so everyone could see what one person was doing??

I second that thought! haha

But yes, that's one of the reasons we started this project in SL, because we saw fire fighting and law enforcement agencies using the software for training as well.

PS Thanks for all the help guys. Wow, I'm literally blown away by what a great online community this forum has! SUPER quick and worthwhile responses to all of my questions!

If anyone wants to give advice, or stay posted on this project, just PM or add me as a friend. We'll be getting our own Private Estate in a few weeks, and hopefully in a few months, well have some semblance of a simulator put together. I'd be more then willing to try and set up an "open house" to the simulator, and invite anyone who helped out with the building of our sim.

Either way, thanks again everyone. Keep up the good work!

Matt

The one I remember is the New England town. Was one of the Prototypes behind it? Maybe it was called "First Response" or something. I dunno if it's still here. Aimee would know, prolly.

The sim is ANWR and is south of Purple on the stretch between Linden continents on the old mainland.



EDIT: Heck Meade beat me to it lol